Welcome 2 my place 2 gush & fangirl over all things movies, shows & books that grabs my interest. Enjoying a variety of genres, my favorites are sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal/supernatural, horror, suspense & dystopian...w/ a touch of mystery, romance & comedy. I share this passion w/ my daughter, so this blog of ours is our place 2 share our thoughts on movies, shows & books we watch & read, including our fan experiences at various events...& having fun while we do it!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Life in a Rut, Love Not Included by J.D. Hollyfield

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Life In A Rut, Love Not IncludedbyJ.D. Hollyfield!Genre:Adult Contemporary RomancePublish Date:March 1, 2014Synopsis:Having it all isn't all it's cracked up to be.When Sarah Sullivan's perfect life blows up in front of her, she finds herself crawling back to the one place she never saw herself returning: Home.At thirty-one, Sarah had it all. Perfect job, perfect boyfriend, perfect life. When all that is taken away from her, she is left heartbroken and angry and desperate enough to let her life swallow her whole...for a while.Fending off love and the pursuit of happiness completely, Sarah vows to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. She creates a list of goals for herself--starting with a much needed shower--and constructs a plan to dig herself out of her rut. What she doesn't plan for is meeting the arrogant new employee her parents have hired to work on an addition to their home. Enter Jack Calloway, the handsome, charming, lickable foreman with an insatiable effect on Sarah's girly parts.Jack accepts the job, but gets more than he bargained for. Unable to ignore his racing hormones--and calm his temper--over the obnoxious woman who clouds his judgment, Jack pulls her in and steals her heart until she finally surrenders. But is he up for the challenge of picking up the pieces of Sarah's broken heart? Can he carry her out of her rut?

“No, that's not what I meant,” he says. “Look at me.” He holds my wrist firmly in his grip, waiting for me to stop fighting his hold and make eye contact with him. This just isn't happening to me. “Sarah, look at me,” he says again, and at the sound of my name leaving his lips I turn and look. I see scorching gold eyes burning right into mine. Intense emotions drain out of his eyes and pour into mine. “I didn't kiss you because I felt sorry for you. I kissed you because I haven't stopped thinking about kissing you since I first saw you on the street. Then the second chance I got after you walked into my office all bent out of hell to drive me insane. I haven’t slept a good fuckin’ night since I slammed my mouth on yours two weeks ago. What I'm sorry about is that I took advantage of you in a vulnerable moment. It was wrong of me.

~~~~~*Interview with J.D. Hollyfield*

1. Thank you for taking the time for this interview! I thought we could start with the all-too-common question, especially for readers who are new to your books. What inspired you to become a writer? When did you know you wanted to become a writer?The answer is simple, I LOVE to read. I have to admit though it if doesn't have romance in it, I don't touch it. Romance is my guilty pleasure. I am a sucker for a Happily Ever After. I love the chase, the angst and that moment when each heroine/hero realize he/she loves him/her. I live for it. I am a dreamer. I live in my head. When I read, I lose myself in the characters. The beautiful way a story is written that I can feel, smell, and touch the scene that is building before me. You do enough of this and you realize you have your own story forming in your head. One day I sat down and let that movie that was playing in front of me, flow through my fingers and away I went, typing my own HEA.2. What literary works and/or authors has made an impression for you in regards to your writing?Any writer who has me from first page to last in a book. There are so many amazing authors out there that I can only wish to even be categorized in the same field to be lucky. Linda Howard was actually my first romance book author. I couldn't get enough, I think I read everything she wrote within a three month span! My list of authors is too long to list, but Pamela Clare, Darynda Jones, Kristen Ashley, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Jeaniene Frost are on my top series and author favorites.3. What is your writing process: do you write when inspiration hits you or do you isolate yourself and write hours on end?Definitely when inspiration hits. I have to feel it. I don't want anything I write to be forced. If I'm not in the groove, nothing gets written. But of course once it starts flowing, I blink and it will be days when I finally come up for air.4. When you're not writing, what are you doing?My first love is my 3 year old son. Getting to watch a mini version of myself grow is an amazing thing. When I am not wrapped up in him or reading, I love to party plan and entertain. Something about building a food menu and cooking soothes and excites me. I am a sucker for serving dishes and may buy stock one day in Crate and Barrel.5. What was the inspiration behind Life In a Rut, Love Not Included?When writing Life In a Rut, Love Not Included, it started as a memory of times in my life where life just kind of stunk. Being back at home and not where I planned my life on being. I sat down and created Sarah with a small view on some life experiences that I saw her going through. As I wrote Sarah, I related to some of her experiences, and others I just wished. (aka Hot Jack moments).6. Which character(s) were your favorite to write? Which one(s) was the hardest?Sarah was the easiest for me. Her struggles came from the heart. Her trouble trying to find her way back from betrayal and loss was real. Sometimes life just doesn't go as planned, and Sarah's story proves that. I enjoyed portraying her humor for her mishaps as well. Her inner battle with Hotty Mc-Bang-Me was a hoot for me. Stacy was probably the hardest character to write. I am not a fan of cheating. I felt for Sarah while having to write/watch someone she trusted so much betray her.7. What was the easiest and hardest part writing this book?The easiest part was writing it. Loosing myself in this story was such a great experience. At times I felt like I could close my eyes and just type away for hours. I loved building Sarah and Jack inn a way that felt real and true to life's ups and downs. The hardest part was pulling away from my fantasy world, when reality had to step in. Life isn't all about playing house in your head so work, family and the daily chores had to come into play. Separating work and play was no fun.8. What are you currently working on? What can we, readers, expect in the near future?This is exciting for me because my next book in the works, making its entrance towards the end of the year. The genre will be a Romantic Suspense. I am super excited to introduce Ava and Devon. Just thinking about their story and all the juicy parts gets my own cheeks warming. 

9. If Life In a Rut, Love Not Included was made into a movie, who would you cast for your characters?I chose Ashley Green and Chris Pine. Yum! I have to send a shout out to my husband for this question also. Never having rad a romance book, but supporting me, he read my book and actually gave me a Dream Cast! That's love! He chose Amy Adams and Gerard Butler. I gave him kudos because I loved the idea of Amy Adams as Sarah!10. If you could be any of your characters, who would you be?That's a no brainer! Aunt Raines! Who doesn't want to sit around drinking martinis all day!?11. Who is your current fictional crush/boyfriend?That's a tough one. I can't say I am monogamous when it comes to my book boyfriends, so picking just one would be tough. At the top of my head? I would have to say any male character coming from a Kristen Ashley book.12. I have a lot of friends who are aspiring writers, what advice would you give them?Have faith and go for it. Sometimes the only thing that is stopping you from your dreams is you own doubts. If you have something written, you are already half way to achieving your goal! I took this leap because I had faith. I had no idea where I was going to land, but I just closed my eyes and jumped. You would be surprised how much support you have once you get started. Need more! Reach out to me! I know how it feels to be super nervous to make that step. I will be your biggest fan. We are ll in the same boat here!Thank you J.D. for your time for this interview!~~~~~**About the Author**J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer and first-time author. When she's not cooking, event planning, or playing around with her husband, son and three doxies, she's relaxing with her nose in a book. With her love for romance, and her head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life. Life In a Rut, Love Not Included is her first novel. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on her second book.Stay connected with J.D. HollyfieldWebsite

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All books, movies and shows reviewed are entirely the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the reviewers. All books reviewed on this blog are either bought, borrowed, won from contests/giveaways, or sent by publishers or authors for the purpose of review. All review copies/ARCs (advance readers copies) are given by the publisher/author/a third party in exchange for honest and thoughtful reviews. No monetary compensation of any kind is given or received for any and all of our reviews.